EPA Seeks $126,000 Fine Against Brass Foundry

Federal regulators are requesting that a Torrance foundry be fined $126,000, charging that the company neglected to file public reports on its emissions of toxic lead and copper in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday that the Martin Brass Foundry violated the “community right to know” law passed by Congress in 1986. The measure requires manufacturers to report on their emissions of more than 300 toxic chemicals, including copper and lead.

The proposed fine, to be decided by an administrative law judge, comes 13 months after Martin Brass agreed to pay $15,000 as part of a settlement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. AQMD had accused the company of releasing excessive amounts of lead dust into the air.